The History of Ramadan

The History of Ramadan

It is believed that the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad during the month of Ramadan. The historical records shows that first revelation was sent down on Laylat al-Qadr (The night of Power) which is one of the five odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. According to the Hadiths the entire Quran was ‘sent’ during Ramadan.

The first evening of Ramadan

In many places around the world Muslims will be looking to the heavens this evening. They will be interested in knowing if they will be able to see the crescent moon. If it is visible this will be the signal for the beginning of the month of Ramadan. (In most countries religious authorities will make a proclamation concerning the beginning of Ramadan). No fasting will take place till tomorrow morning. Muslims will rise early to eat their breakfast before the day begins. Afterwards they will not have anything else to eat or drink till nightfall. This will be their daily experience during the next 30 days.

Fasting – Ramadan

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of the religion of Islam and one of the highest forms of Islamic worship. Abstinence from earthly pleasures and curbing evil intentions and desires is regarded as an act of obedience and submission to God as well as an atonement for sins, errors, and mistakes. Called Ramadan (or Ramazan), Muslims fast during this holy month from the moment when it first starts to get light until sunset. Muslims fast as an act of faith and worship towards Allah, seeking to suppress their desires and increase their spiritual piety. Fasting together as a worldwide community – Ummah – affirms the brotherhood and equality of man before Allah.

Islamic Calendar

The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle. The month of Ramadan is the ninth month and begins with a combination of the sighting of the new moon and astronomical calculations. The exact time of Ramadan sometimes varies from place to place as some rely heavily on the moon sightings while others depend on science. An Imam (Muslim holy man) will declare the exact time of Ramadan just prior to its commencement. The fasting period ends upon the sighting of the next new moon, which occurs after 29 or 30 days.

The lunar cycle changes each year. For example, one year Ramadan was from the 22 August-20 September, but the year before the dates for Ramadan were 01-30 September.

The Meaning of Ramadan

The name Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ramida or ar-ramad, denoting intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. From the same word there is ramdaa, meaning ‘sunbaked sand’ and the famous proverb Kal Mustajeer minar ramadaa binnar – to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. Some say it is so called because Ramadan scorches out the sins with good deeds, as the sun burns the ground.

Emotions of Ramadan

Ramadan brings out a special feeling of emotional excitement and religious zeal among Muslims of all ages. Though fasting is mandatory only for adults, children as young as eight willingly observe fasting with their elders. Children look forward to the excitement of sighting the moon and eating special meals with their families. Adults appreciate the opportunity to double their rewards from God and seek forgiveness for past sins. As Ramadan emphasizes Muslim brotherhood and community all feel a particular closeness.

Muslims have to change their whole physical and emotional selves during this 30 long days of fasting. A typical day of fasting begins with getting up early, around 4:30a.m. and sharing a meal called Sahur together before the fast begins at dawn, about 5:10a.m. As dawn breaks, the first of five daily prayers, Fajr, is offered.

As the day proceeds, fasting Muslims are constantly bombarded with messages from their stomachs that it is time for breakfast, snack, lunch, and so on. And each time, Muslims remind themselves that they are fasting for the sole purpose of pleasing Allah and seeking his mercy. They offer the second and third prayers during early and late afternoon, respectively.

Fasting helps one to experience how a hungry person feels and what it is like to have an empty stomach. It teaches one to share the sufferings of the less fortunate. Muslims believe that fasting leads one to appreciate the bounties of Allah, which are usually taken for granted – until they are missed!

Throughout the day Muslims are encouraged to go out of their way to help the needy, both financially and emotionally. Some believe that a reward earned during this month is multiplied 70 times and more. For this reason, Ramadan is also known as the month of charity and generosity.

To a Muslim, fasting not only means abstaining from food, but also refraining from all vice and evils committed consciously or unconsciously. It is believed that if one volunteers to refrain from lawful foods and sex, they will be in a better position to avoid unlawful things and acts during the rest of the year.

Breaking The Daily Fast

The fast is broken at sunset. The Prophet Muhammad recommended breaking the fast with dates. Muslims are urged to invite others to break the fast with them. These gatherings are called Iftar parties.

Just after breaking the fast, and before dinner, Muslims offer the fourth of the five daily prayers, which is called the Maghrib prayer. After dinner, Muslims go to their houses of worship, called Mosques, to offer the Isha prayer, which is the last of the five daily prayers. The day ends with a special voluntary prayer, the Taraweeh, offered by the congregation reciting the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam.

The Last 10 Days of Ramadan

The last ten days of Ramadan are considered highly blessed, especially the 27th night which is also called the ‘Night of Power’, or the ‘Night of Destiny’. It is believed that on this night the prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of the Qur’an. For many Muslims, this period is marked by a heightened spiritual intensity and they may spend these nights praying and reciting the Qur’an.

After 30 days of fasting, the end of the month of Ramadan is observed with a day of celebration, called Eid-ul-Fitr. On this day, Muslims gather in one place to offer a prayer of thanks. It is traditional to wear new clothes, visit friends and relatives, exchange gifts, eat delicious dishes prepared for this occasion, and wait patiently for the next year.

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Comments

christians dont understand why we are so strongly attached to our religion. read translations of the Holy Quran, find out WHY. dont just blindly say that your belief is true and our’s isnt. check it out. Oh, and while ur at it, google those priests who converted to islam. ask them why

IN REPLY OF WHO CAME NEXT AFTER CHRIST — THE ANSWER IS GOD’S “HOLY SPIRIT” .

John 14:26 —-But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Luke 24:49—– I am going to send you what my Father has promised;

Acts 2:3 PROVES IT “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.”

There are many more [http://bible.cc/mark/4-12.htm] but dear friend I would not waste yours as well as mine— valuable time- the sole reason being that the Bible says : Mark 4:12—–so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'” Isaiah 6:9 He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father(GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY-also father of Ishmael-son of Hagar-Abraham/Ibrahim-as written in Injil/Surah/Qu’ran/Bible) except through me.

Thank you for your time & GOD Bless you (Edited to make it shorter / Admin)

I am not a Muslim but I write to express how Ramadan is recognized not only to Muslim people but also to other religion. It is in fact marked as an holiday to the Christian calendar. The sacrifice of the Muslims in this certain event is very much recognized and appreciated.

I have read the comments here with great Interest, especially comments by Colleen, whose Christian Family fall short of Christian values.

Colleen, I also was born into a Christin Family, but convered to Islam on personal convictions. MyFamily are good Christian people. My Father (god rest his soul) was a church Elder. many of the chracter traits I demenstrate today (No alcohol, no smoking, personal discipline, etc) all were learnt at home from my Father before I converted to Islam.

I am sorry your Family did not meet your expectations of Christianity, but i have to say that Christianity is neither a Fraud or a Scam.

Colleen, isn’t it wonderful that you are free to change your religion and exercise your belief, thanks to the free society that you are living in. You won’t find this kind of freedom in strict muslim environments. When it comes to freedom, tolerance, pluralism, multiculturalism, your new religion has a really really bad name. And it’s not because of the unbalanced media coverage as you claim, but because of what your peer muslim brothers and sisters have done in the past and are still doing now, to this moment. Your religion is good when its followers practise it moderately or even reluctantly, but unfortunately not when they start to practice it strictly. Have you ever heard of ‘shariah law’? Your imam/ustaz might have told you that every muslim is obliged to live according to shariah (law) and it is good to please Allah/God. Don’t take his words for granted. Let yourself someday visit places where shariah is implemented: Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and see for yourself. Just compare the situation to where you are living now and see the difference. Sad to say, where there is Islam, there is violence, intolerance, and persecution of others. Let you ask yourself humbly: “What’s wrong with my religion?” Or take some time to visit Indonesia the so-called ‘most tolerant and peaceful muslim country’. I live here. Truthfully, it was…

Yes, of course Indonesia is a good country for Muslims, most tolerant and peaceful Muslim country’ but for Christians is struggle country to exercise their faith. You can google it many churches burned and it’s not easy to build church. Not like as easy to build mosque.

I don’t understand why “some” Christians feel that they need to read an comment on Islamic matters. I’m a reverted Muslimah and I the ability to compare and contrast to two beliefs system. I’ve never read a Christian blog with comments from Muslims concerning OUR belief because there is no Complusion in Islam. Those Christians who read Muslim information and make comments in an attempt to convince individuals who have been called to Islam, are wasting precious time. Let your light shine that other my glorify Allah (god). Isa(Jesus PBUH) would not be please with those who say they believe seek to put a wedge between believers. WE DO HAVE THE SAME BELIEF BELIVE IT OR NOT!

If you really wanted an answer to that question, you could begin by reading the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Book of Romans, to name just two excellent sources for the role of both Jesus and the Father.

but in the Bible @ Hebrew 5:7-8, Jesus in his days cried out to ALLAH(God) who was and is the only one who could save from death, so why dont you cry out to this same ALLAH(God) when you have problem.?

Muslims don’t fast. Not eating for twelve hours is hardly a fast. It isn’t even dieting. Muslims eat an enormous meal right before sunrise and then another after sunset; and, pork is not ‘forbidden in the Bible’.